HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Lohmann-Matthes, M.-L. Articles by Roder, J. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Lohmann-Matthes, M.-L. Articles by Roder, J.

Promonocytes Have the Functional Characteristics of Natural Killer Cells

Max-Planck-Institut für Immunbiologie, Stübeweg 51, D-7800 Freiburg, FRG and the Department of Tumor Biology, Karolinska Institut, S-104 01 Stockholm 60, Sweden

Abstract

Promonocytes isolated from a 5-day-old L-fibroblast-conditioned liquid bone marrow culture show strong NK cell cytotoxicity. They kill YAC target cells in a short-term ¹²⁵IUDR-release assay whereas P815 targets are unaffected. This NK-like cytotoxicity is enhanced in the presence of interferon preparations. Morphologically, these promonocytes resemble a medium size lymphocyte with a high nucleus to cytoplasma ratio, they are non-adherent, nonphagocytic, and negative in nonspecific esterase staining. Promonocytes are precursor cells from macrophages, which have not yet developed the typical macrophage criteria. Within 24 to 48 hr they mature to adherent macrophages. We have shown previously, that the same promonocytes have the capacity to perform K cell killing of antibody-coated tumor target cells. The cytotoxic effector functions of promonocytes are abolished when the cells are treated with the alloantimacrophage serum Mø 1.2 plus rabbit C. The relationship or similarity between K cells, NK cells and promonocytes is discussed.